Accepting acceptance

[Peeler5868]

One of the most difficult struggles of my ptsd recovery is accepting where I am and not resisting the frustration that comes with a long and painful road to recovery. It's been over 6 years since the incident and 4 years since the trial and As I watch the rest of the world continue with their lives I'm stuck in a suffocating cycle of depression, anxiety and panic. I want to live again- feel alive and have that spark that used to drive my very existence. I wonder if I'll ever feel that way again or if I should just accept the reality that is my now. Last January I began EMDR and although it has helped I'm still struggling on a daily basis. The panic attacks are fewer in number but just as terrifying and paralyzing. I'm at the age now where all of my "friends" are having babies and I wish with all my heart that I could be in that space. Its hard accepting acceptance when you can see peace on the other side but have little to no way of achieving it.

[Poohbear_1 Pioneer]

I am sure you will get there in the end i know it can be so frustrating and we all would like to take a magic pill to get rid of it once and for all. But all you can do is just take it one step at a time and never give up with your road to recovery. As unfortunately there does not seem to be no quick fix with PTSD but it can be beaten it is just that everyone heals at different rates and times. I hope you feel better and i wish you all the best mate. Poohbear'

[MicheleR Founder]

Accepting who and where you are is a common tough struggle -- one of the most important! It took me almost 10 years to heal and during that time I had to often release my frustration that I was losing time and unable to engage in the world as others were, so I understand what you're feeling.

One thing that can make this process more bearable is to remind yourself that change continues to happen and be available to you every day -- and focusing on what change you can implement in the day you're in. By making choices and taking actions your mind shifts focus off of resistance and onto change-oriented options that move you from feeling powerless to powerful, which is a fundamental element of PTSD recovery.

As you move through this frustrating space remember that you're not alone. We all experience this to some degree... Knowing that doesn't make it easier but at least you know it's normal.

[Hidden]

Hello

I Think i understand how you feel. In my recovery acceptence has been of the things i have worked with the most. I find that when i resist and feel aversion then everything becomes very difficult. So acceptence is definatly necessary in ptsd recovery.

It is difficult to watch the World around you evovle and go on as it does when you Can not be a part of it.

I am in my early twenties and everyone at my age are starting their Education, moving out, and are beginning a new exciting life as adults and i know i would be to if did not have ptsd. So it Can really be hard sometimes to accept that you are so limited in life.

A have a few things that i do to be more acceptant in my recovery.

I Think it is importent that you accept your condition but without accepting it as perminant.

I say to myself: i accept the Way i am today, but i know that this condition is only temporary and i Will be completly healed in the nearest future.

I also use compassion, directing it a my symptoms or anything that feel difficult and this also helps me to accept my symptoms much better.

I Understand that it Can be difficult when nothing special is improving in your treatment. I recently had to stop my hypnotherapy sessions because even though it helped me a bit it did not do anything for the core of my symptoms. Afterwards i found out that it was not really the form of therapy it was the therapist that did not have the right tools to heal me. So i'm still open to hypnotherapy just not with her

I Think that maybe you should try another type of alternative therapy or maybe combine two kinds. Because i agree with poohbear_1 you Can heal and you Will heal!

It is just a matter of time, methods, and circumstances.

Have a good day

[WiseOwl]

Hi there, I too struggle with just getting through the day. I have had a lifetime of trauma and do not feel it is realistic that I can become fully functional. That is something that I have to accept and I don't feel like I am part of the thriving living either, but I keep pushing forward with self care on a daily basis. Most days I don't want to do any of it, but I know I have to and that it is in my best interest. I think we have to be grateful that we have survived and that we would not have this illness if we were not determined to be survivors. Lots of love and hugs to you on your journey.

[Hidden]

I have found that the journey is always better when I know that others are walking with me. Sure the road at times are uphill but I have found that there are times that I can coast and other times that I can travel along in smooth contentment. I have found that life gets better if I "let" it. Sometimes I feel I do not have control over my emotions but there are times that I actually feel good and think that it is my responsibility to feel good for as long as I can. There are times that I self sabotage my contentment. I am not going to do that any longer. Good luck with accepting things as they are. I think that is the way I can hang onto contentment, and also shorten my negative times.